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 I am a 33 year old female, had a heart attack three days after my 31 birthday and the next day had double bypass two months later had been opened up again due to an infection and had a wound vac for six months...chronic pain fear of dying all the time and anxiety....my drs look at me like I'm crazy. I know my body something isn't right help me.33 year old female chf 2x cabg , Orange County, California, USA, June 14, 2013

 Subramanian in Virginia -- Perhaps a dermatologist or plastic surgeon many be able to alleviate some of the discomfort from the scar. As for getting another CABG, why would you do that? Do you have symptoms? Have any tests shown a perfusion deficit (lack of blood flow/oxygen to the heart muscle)? Also not sure what a "preventative" CABG is. Guidelines indicate revascularization (either angioplasty/stents or CABG) only in a symptomatic patient who has documented ischemia and where there is a good reason to believe that revascularization will benefit the patient.Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, May 24, 2013

 I underwent a CABG (preventive) in May 2006 in India and taking regular Nebistar 5 mg and Ecosprin AV 75 regulary. I am Ok and my TMT continues to be negative. I am also not diabetic. However the Keeloid/Scar is giving me irritation and pain. Some times I do get pain in the chest. I often confuse this with the cardiac. Is there any remedy for this pain? Will I need to go for another CABG as 7 yrs completed after the earlier CABG? Subramanian, Arlington, Virginia, USA, May 23, 2013

 Just how does EECP work without surgery? I am getting desperate for some type of relief. I had 5 grafts of which two have collapsed. I have a hard time walking from my car to my office. My open heart surgery was in 2010. Since I have been back to my doctor several times, it's like he has given up on me.Thomas, Georgia, USA, May 14, 2013

 Mifraz -- Have you consulted yur cardiologist? You should. If you are having returning angina, shortness of breath (SOB), etc. he/she may want to run some tests to see if your bypass is still doing what it's supposed to. Even if only to reassure you that all is okay.Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 20, 2013

 55 Male - had triple bypass in Feb 2011. Doctors admitted my surgery was successful and i was sent home, however since then i am experiencing severe pain on the left around the heart which sometimes runs down to my left wrist. I do regular exercise and am careful with my diet. Have done several exercise ECG's and Echo since but all showed good results. I am now short of breath as well and the pain is constant and comes so many times each day even when I am relaxed or seated. I am really depressed and disturbed mentally and physically and am unable to concentrate on my future. I am worried as i have a very young family. Can some good friend with similar symptoms or a Medical Officer experienced in this syndrome please help me to do what is needed to get out of this and live a normal life. Thanks.Mifraz, Colombo, Sri lanka, March 24, 2013

 I had a robotic bypass in 12/2009 . Have recently found out it was connected to a branch of the artery and not the artery it was supposed to be connected to .I'm now facing a 'do -over' due to ischemia from lack of blood flow .Any others out there with this occurrence. By the way.... they forgot to check and clear my left carotid artery prior to the CABG and I had a stroke 2 days post op . Other than the occasional seizures and weakness in my right side especially when I'm tired. Life's F....in grand!Frederic K, Edgartown, Massachusetts, USA, January 11, 2013

 Susan from Alabama -- Have you contacted the surgeon who did the bypass? He/she should be made aware of this and would be the best source of information about this. Is the infection being treated?

And Cazz in London -- it's very very good that your partner has stopped smoking. The life of a saphenous vein bypass graft, (SVG) which is taken from the leg, is about 10 years. His grafts obviously had more rapid progression of the disease (possibly due to smoking). It may be possible to use angioplasty and stents to reopen these, or even re-open the native artery. This is what happened with U.S. President Bill Clinton. Perhaps you might want to accompany him to his appointment with the cardiologist so you understand better his situation and can provide support for his decision process.Angioplasty.Org Staff,Angioplasty.Org, November 7, 2012

 My 69 year old brother had 5 bypass surgery 2 weeks ago. He was doing fine until his leg swelled up quite a lot. He has diabetes (i don't know if that has anything to do with or not). I am very worried, they told him at er that he has an infection. Please tell me what could have gone wrong.Susan, Birmingham, Alabama, USA, November 6, 2012

 My partner had a quadruple by pass 5 years ago, he carried on smoking and now has been told two are blocked and his heart is quarter damaged and not working he will not talk about it and I need to know what is happening, he came out of hospital but wont tell me what they said other than they are reviewing his case. He has stopped smoking. I have just moved in with him after dating him for three years. Please help me understandCazz, London, U.K., October 30, 2012

 I had a quad bypass 12 years ago at age 60. All went well and in 1-1/2 month I walked the Portland Marathon. I have continued to walk, hike and bicycle except for a few months in the dead of winter. Except for two years ago.I am now doing exercise classes to rebuild my muscles that atrophied after I was given Crestor and Zocor for about 8 years. I developed severe side-effects that resembled Parkinson's. I felt so bad that i basically laid on a couch for 80 percent of my waking time. I was in desperate condition when I discovered the link between Crestor and false diagnoses of Parkinson's. I quit Crestor and felt immediately better. I resumed my activities and have lost 30 lbs and regained much strength and balance. I am now rebuilding my life but concerned about how much damage the incorrect diagnosis did. The Crestor/Zocor debacle is due to the FDA allowing the drugs to be put out on the market before doing long term testing.joal, Eugene, Oregon, USA, August 13, 2012

 I had 5X open heart (CABG) in May 2009. Except tightness in chest I did not felt any other problem. I drive 4 W, no breathing problem. But for last two months or so I am suffering from pain in ribs particularly in right side and it becomes more when i sit for longer time & unbearable while changing side during sleep...Thanks pain has not passed on to left side so far..Is there any cure? please help... Binod Jha, Indian Bank Ahmedabad, India, August 13, 2012

 57 year old male.. had quintuple bypass surgery in late 2007. 6 months after bypass the graft bypassing the circumflex occluded and a stent was put in the circumflex. That was the 5th stent into that artery . At same time saphenous vein graft was closing down and stent put in that. I have 6 months of symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue and xiphoid lower sternum pain but no angina. After 6 months it clears up ,then 6 months symptom free, then 6 months symptoms again. Fast Forward. Last year I had 2 more angioplasties , but since bypass ,it DOES NOT relieve symptoms even though they were closing. Same vein graft Doctor thinks it is too small for the area and it bends at 90 degrees pinching it shut. More work on it they fear it may perforate. With other circumflex 6 stents make it impossible to do more. My main LAD is open and PATENT and went through ECEP, which worked for a while. I exercise regularly but feel pain often after but not during. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT SO MANY INTERVENTIONS, STENTS AND ANGIOPLASTIES ON THOSE 2 (GRAFT AND NATIVE ARTERY HAS CAUSED PERMANENT INFLAMMATION. If I leave those 2 buggers closed cause they won;t stay open will I have a heart attack. CONFUSED57 male, Winter Springs, Florida, USA, June 20, 2012

 Nirmal in Mumbai -- His breathing problem is most likely sleep apnea, which can occur after surgery. There are several different treatments/devices that may help with this. As for his swollen leg, not possible to tell what that might be, but we recommend seeing his cardiac surgeon or cardiologist to get specific help for these issues.Angioplasty.Org Staff,Angioplasty.Org, March 31, 2012

 My husband is 57 years old. He had a 3 x CABG 9 months ago. He complains about breathing problem at night and he has a swollen leg which has not cured yet. nirmal khanna, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, March 26, 2012

 I was 36 in 2002 when I had my first heart attack and had a stent put in my right coronary artery. I have had 7 more heart attacks since then. My last one resulted in quad bypass in 2010. After recovery I still had problems, so a year later went in for a check up and due to results the DR. ordered another angiogram which showed 2 more arteries 50 and 65% blocked and several veins on my heart that are completely blocked. they wont do anything about the arteries until they are 75% blocked and the small veins they can do nothing about. I can't do anything without feeling like I"m going to have a heart attack, go up and down stairs, walk to the mailbox, make love to my wife. The Doctor acts like I should be fine and everything should be normal, the depression and the fear that I am gonna drop dead at any moment consume my every thought. When I sleep I dream I"m having a heart attack. so I have not had more then 2 hrs of uninterrupted sleep in months. I am constantly fatigued and short of breath. I cant even do the simplest exercise. I feel so hopeless!!!!! I don't know what to do!!!! Thank you for letting me share and vent. Good luck to all of you that are having problems too. Donnie, Indianola, Iowa, USA, February 13, 2012

 I am 48 yr old Type 1 diabetic on insulin pump..I had Quad heart bypass in 07..have done well.. a lot of other medical things going on as well...but I have been experiencing chest pain off & on for 3 wks daily the past week..I am scared and have made app w/cardio dr...for next week...Is this common to have pains again after bypass so soon?LAB, Marion, Illinois, USA, February 10, 2012

 My dad 65 yo w/m had CABG 7 years ago. Has had chronic pain for the whole 7 yrs. He can touch the worse spot and press down and feel the pain. He says its right here and touches it. Been to every doctor looking for relief he has never returned to any kind of work due to the pain. sternal non union ruled out, tried the nerve burning from the back into the spot. The only answers from doctors in TN is pain drugs which he is now addicted. He begs every day to get off the meds and find an answer. I got him an appointment at the Cleveland Heart Clinic in OHIO in 2 weeks last opportunity I know of. He can only lay on one side with out the pain and every doctor I called will not offer any option except pain medicine which is going to ruin his family or kill him. The wires were removed 3 years ago. One surgeon stated wow your doctor put you back together in a hurry didn't he..... but offered nothing more but pain meds. He desperately needs help but I don't know what to do any suggestions from anyone who has experienced this kind of pain. Thanks to all and God blessChronic Sternum Pain 7 years after CABG, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, February 5, 2012

 I had Davinci's robotic heart bypass using the mammary artery. Would like to hear anyone having problems with this type of bypass. I also have a stent Xience from Abbott and am very fatigued. I walk every day but have no energy. It sounds like they are having some success with this drug-coated stent but am worried. I am 67 and also experience low grade fevers. My BP is high 150/90 and have tried at least 5 different meds. to get it down and nothing helps. Now I have two valves leaking, the mitral and aortic. I am so tired of problems. Don't know what tests to have next. Had a echo showing the valve problems and my heart is somewhat enlarged.Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, USA, January 11, 2012

 Kathy in Kansas and Bev in Michigan -- it is very frustrating to go through bypass surgery and then have the bypasses close up. Sometimes the fix is sometimes placing a stent in the bypass graft; sometimes in the original artery that was bypassed. President Clinton had this happen to him as well -- he received two stents in a native artery that was originally bypassed because his bypasses closed up. Coronary artery disease is a chronic disease. Neither bypass surgery nor stenting/angioplasty actually cure the disease: they can only relieve the immediate problem. One can only do one's best to reduce all risk factors and slow/stop the progression of the disease. These include stopping smoking (no more cigars for President Clinton), changing diet (since his stenting, he's become a vegan), exercising, etc. Also being very diligent about prescription meds to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, etc. However, genetics also play a significant role and that's not something under our control (not yet anyway!).Angioplasty.Org Staff,Angioplasty.Org, January 4, 2011

 I'm 52 female had quadruple bypass 12 2010 and have had 6 stents since then frustrated don't understand afraid of having chest pain or heart attack has anyone else had this oh and i have CAD a lot of upper back pain.Kathy H, Wichita, Kansas, USA, December 23, 2011

 My father had 4 bypass and 1 valve done four months ago and we just found that 3 out of the 4 bypass are blocked again. So soon? Has anyone heard of this and if so, were can I find more information. The doctors are not giving us any options. The 4th bypass is is clear. Help any and everyone. ThxBev, Michigan, USA, December 16, 2011

 Kreece in West Virginia -- This topic is about patients having problems after coronary artery bypass surgery. We do host a topic on "Financial Assistance for Prescription Drugs" -- don't know if there's info there for your dad's situation, but possibly your family doctor canhelp guide you through the complicated morass of insurance and Medicare coverage. Hope you find help.Angioplasty.Org Staff,Angioplasty.Org, December 16, 2011

 My dad needs insulin shots for diabetes. Even with Medicare (80%), and supplemental Blue Cross/Blue Shield (20%), they will not cover it. It will cost him $300 a month for it. He does not have the money, so he is not doing the injection shots. How can he get help if neither insurance will cover it?Kreece, Charleston, West Virginia, USA, December 16, 2011

 53 Male - Had heart attack and single bypass of LIMA to LAD beating heart method Oct. 2010. 6 week check up everything OK. Stress test for work medical Jan 2011 showed abnormalities. Referred back to cardiologist who done a nuclear stress test, angiogram & echo-cardiogram. Graft has atrophied (wilted). They think it may be caused by a technical issue? Saw surgeon who is going to redone bypass using RIMA. No real symptoms that anything was wrong apart from an occasional ache in left arm, which I have been told is angina. 2nd time luck I hopeRick, Lancashire, UK, July 22, 2011

 how much time later we can start atorvastatin after cabg?Nitya, Raipur, India, July 20, 2011

 Paula M from Liverpool -- Does your dad think
this is the same pain he used to have? Bypass grafts are usually good (medical
term: patent) for 5-10 years. There is the possibility that one or more of
the grafts have closed up (this happens more often with the saphenous vein
grafts) but only his cardiologist can tell you this. For example, this happened
to former
U.S. President Bil Clinton last year, although it was six years
since his bypass surgery. He was treated with two stents and went back to
work two days later..Angioplasty.Org Staff,Angioplasty.Org, May 1, 2011

 my father is 70yrs old he had coronary artery
bypass graft in 2009, he has been complaining today with chest pain is
this angina back?Paula M, Liverpool, England , May 1, 2011

 I had a 4x bypass in September of 2002 at age
46, it was done at Stony Brook Hospital in NY. My surgeon was Thomas Bilfinger,
a highly regarded heart
and lung surgeon, i would highly recommend him for a patient in need. I have
made a 100% recovery thanks to Stony Brook H. and also my extreme drive to
get well after the operation, i bicycle 60+ miles, do 5k's, and lift weights.
I also
changed my diet to lower cholesterol levels. I was told by my Cardiologist
that the operation only does 50% the other 50% needs to be done by me doing
exercise,
diet, etc. people need to take responsibility for themselves too, it's a team
effort.My only recent problem seems to be with staph infections, i have had
2 in the last few years however staph infections seems to affect cardiac
patients
more so i assume i'll have to live with it and hope for the best. Frederick, Mastic Beach, New York, USA, April 24, 2011

 I'm 50 and had a quadruple bypass June 2010 then
rushed in to find out all arteries from bypass collapsed. The LCX (left
circumflex artery) received 2 stents leaving EF (Ejection Fraction) @40%.
Seen 3 cardiologists, 2 Surgeons and no one can explain. I've been advised
by all that collaterals are all over my heart and suggested not to redo
bypass for fear the arteries will collapse again. Still working too,
energy very low. What is life expectancy or does anyone have any other
suggestions
of how to proceed. Extremely scared!Cacicedo, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA, January 15, 2011

 Hi I am enquiring on behalf of my father he is
68 yrs old and has had CABG almost 9 weeks ago he is complaining of pain
in his left arm which he mentioned
at his follow up appointment, and was told this will not be angina? he thinks
it is he has taken the GTN spray and also tried patches this does not seem
to work should he go back to his cardiologist? he also suffers from osteoporosis
so he is very confused he has very limited movement and cannot fully raise
his
arms? please can you advise?PM, Liverpool, United Kingdom, February 10, 2010

 My husband who is 61 had CABG x3 May 2009,he
developed bronchitis and broke 3 sternal wires from coughing. He has
been is and out hospitals several times. Oct 2009,he had xyphoid process
removed.
We thought that would help with the unbearable pain.He is on morphine
and percocet and that doesn't relieve pain either. He is scheduled for
Feb
2010 to remove all 7 wires completely. He also has a 4.4 aneursym. The
3 wires that are broken are at the bottom of his rib cage, if he pushes
they together, the pain stops. If surgeon takes out all the wires, won't
that put more pressure on the rib cage? Surgeon said that his ribs would
never heal together completely, just be cartlidge like in your nose.
Surgeon said that one wire is directly over one of the grafts. My husband
also
has lupus and anemia. Bleeds easily and doesn't clot fast. MS, New York, USA, January 14, 2010

 My Father (63 years) had CABG 3 years back. He
recovered well and took his normal duty immediately after 3 month after
the operation. He never had any breathing issue and No chest pain. The
only issue he is complaining is that he is feeling some stiffness or feeling
like lifting weight over the operated area. He doesn't feeling the same
when he was laying down. Doctors are neither listening to this complaint
nor saying no issue. Can anyone have similar experience and any suggestion
to come of this?Post CABG Issues, Chennai, India, November 8, 2010

 MY BYPASS HEART SURGERY WAS MADE IN OCT 2006.
DR. HAS ADVISED TO WALK UP TO 5 KM. BUT I CAN WALK 3 KM. THERE AFTER
I BECAME TIRED. NO OTHER PROBLEM LIKE
PAIN ETC. ARISES.AND SINCE SURGERY TMT SHOWS MODERATE POSITIVE. I DO ALL MY
WORK NORMALLY AND STILL WORKING IN OFFICE . AGE IS 55 YRS. PL. SUGGEST
ME ACCORDINGLY.
THANKS.NARAYAN DAS GUPTA, GOVT. SERVANT, BHOPAL, M.P., INDIA, June 28, 2010

 My husband, age 73, had a 4x CABG about 5 yrs
ago. He has type 2 diabetes, is not on insulin. He complains of spells
where he becomes extremely cold, lasting approximately 30 minutes. Could
this be related to the CABG? Has it to do with the diabetes, or possibly
the combination of CABG and diabetes? Other than that he is in excellent
health and exercises regularly.Ellen, Boone County, Kentucky, USA, October 30, 2009

 What would cause a triple bypass surgery to fail
less than a yr. after surgery. Can or is it safe to have it repeated?Lynn D., Florence, Kentucky, USA, August 5, 2009

 got cabbage (CABG) done 3 years ago right leg
gives me a lot of jiff any help out there and brain problems since bypass
are very worrying. doctor says bypass causes brain and have to live with
it. is there help out there as me
going
crazie thanks patPatrick Hanley, Limerick City, Ireland, July 24, 2009

 A general comment -- this is a Patient Forum and
not an "Ask The Doctor" service, so we recommend to all patients with problems
that they discuss these problems with their cardiologist or in this case,
their surgeon. If you want to, definitely get a second opinion when you
have not gotten an answer that satisfies you. You will need your records
and
almost definitely your angiograms, both pre and post surgery, if possible.
These are complex matters and we do not and cannot give medical advice.
We also urge our readers to chime in with any assistance. We can say that
bypass grafts sometimes close up for various reasons -- it is possible
then to place a balloon and stent in the graft. For specific questions
about this area, consult an interventional cardiologist.Angioplasty.Org Staff,Angioplasty.Org, November 2, 2008

 I am writing about a friend/She is about 54 with
history of insulin/diabetes. She had open heart surgery 5 bypasses a
year ago/about two months ago she started having problems such as she noticed
prior to open heart surgery/in chest, sob, etc. She had tests done, and
cardiologist and surgeon/found at least one vein-artery that was all
curved,
in circles and something he had never seen before. Following tests showed
no blood flow coming out of that one and bottom line is there are 3 that
need to be bypassed, and they recommend open heart surgery again. 1-question:
what would cause that type of problem with the weird, shape etc /as we
are thinking the graft wasn't done right/right length etc by surgeon?
2/ is there a less intrusive method? 3/ we suggest a second opinion? any
thoughts
please? thanks much.rmames, Wisconsin, USA, October 20, 2008

 hi, i am fatma! my husband is 52 years old and
he is a postoperative CABG, his operation was done last august 11,08. I
just wonder why on his 4weeks of
post operative CABG he is still in pain such as painful sternal clicking and
every time he will get in and get out from the bed he feel painful click on
his sternum, is it normal or not? and if ever for how many weeks or months
before
he completely recover, if someone knows or experienced about this case of my
husband please help me to know, cause i am really worried. I am trying to get
an answer for this case of my husband and hope to hear from this site the answer
to my question,
thanks
very much!Fatma, Cairo, Egypt, October 9, 2008

 Could it be possible that some type of nerve
damage was done when I had my bypass surgery in 2004? About 4 months
after my surgery I started feeling cold...so cold that I feel like I am
sitting
in a tub of ice water. I have to stay in bed 95% of the time with 3-4
blanket on me and my room temperature at 85-90 degrees. I only leave the
house
to go to the doctor. I have been to 3 cardiologist, 2 endocrinologist,
a rheumatologist and see my internal medicine doctor on a regular basis.
These doctors all say they have never had a patient like me. I have had
all kinds of tests....that show nothing. They have just gave up on me.
I was wondering if some nerve could have been damaged or cut that would
cause
me to be cold. I am so miserable I do not want to live the rest of my
like like
this. What type of specialist would you suggest I see?Don R., Texas, USA, June 15, 2008

 Ray -- Maybe we're going to have to start a new
topic on EDTA, a.k.a. chelation therapy, Artery Clearance Therapy (ACT)
etc. since we're getting a number of queries. As far as we know, there
are no randomized clinical trials or peer-reviewed articles in major cardiology
journals showing efficacy of these therapies. However, an NIH-sponsored
study was begun back in 2002 and is still recruiting. The Trial
to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) won't be finished recruiting until
2009 (they have 163 centers). We look forward to the results, but as of
now, there's no real data to show this therapy is valid. The danger is
that patients will self-treat (and spend money on the drugs) and avoid
the proven therapies.

As for Ascorsine-9, we don't know much about it, except
that it seems to be a formulation of essential vitamins and some other
ingredients. But we did note on a supplier's website the following: "WARNINGS:
Anyone taking anti-coagulation drugs should not take this product",
so we would be very wary of Ascorsine-9 for heart patients who may well
be taking anti-coagulation or anti-platelet drugs. Talk to your cardiologist
about this.Angioplasty.Org Staff,Angioplasty.Org, February 28, 2008

 May I have comments on the use of artery cleaners
EDTA ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and/or Ascorsine-9 nine months after
double bypass surgery.Ray G., Georgia, USA, February 10, 2008

 My brother had 4x CABG 1 year ago. He had a very
hard time healing and his angina is back at 6 months from smoking (we think)
and had an angiogram at 6 months that was clean. Of course, he took it
from that that he could keep smoking. As it turns out, we just find out
he has not been taking an aspirin a day or his blood pressure meds. His
blood pressure is good though at 120/70. Surprising but true. I am very
concerned that the longer he doesn't take the prescribed drugs, the faster
he will need additional treatment. He really thinks that the meds were
making him worse because now his BP is good! However he is taking Protonix
and 4 tums a day to try to help the burning under his sternum. The doctor
just keeps saying, your pictures at 6 months were clean, so you are in
good shape. The dr is ignoring the burning under the sternum - knowing
he has stopped meds. HELP!! Any suggestions? He is only 50 years old and
has lost his desire to keep fighting.K.R., New York, USA, October 15, 2007

 Can someone please help. My father who is 69 years
old had a bypass 6 months ago and has been in an out of hospital since
the operation, which has seen no positive result. He is currently in hospital
and having ongoing angina attacks, up to 3 per day, often when he is asleep.
I have read about EECP on the internet and am very interested in this treatment
for him. We live in Sydney Australia, does anyone know whether this treatment
in offered in Australia?Russana, Sydney, Australia, October 10, 2007

• Hi, i am a 52 year old male and weigh 128 kg.have
had 2 stents, a by-pass in 1995 and 2006. I will be contacting my cardiologist
monday next week for an appointment as i am experiencing swelling of my
feet which never happened before, heart beating irregular and wonder if
i am nor in the early stages of heart failure as the swelling is excessive.
I do cardio exercise each day for 1 hour and drink 2 litres of water whilst
exercising... Is the fluid intake to rapid in that period...? I am a very
active person working my 14 hours per day up and down and wonder if the
fact that i am so active, also be the cause. Would appreciate your comment.Johan Stapelberg, Brooklyn Holdings, South Africa, August 25, 2007

 Gerald -- you certainly are an EECP evangelist
(by the way, Angioplasty.Org's Forum has a
topic devoted to EECP). And the treatment has been shown to help some
patients who still experience chest pain if it is not relieved by drugs,
angioplasty or surgery. And this is not a small number: the recent COURAGE
trial showed that 1 in 4 patients still had chest pain after 5 years. The
general theory that vascular disease and blockages are at least partially
a result of endothelial dysfunction is pretty well accepted. The big question
is what causes this and how best to treat it. You're correct in saying
that interventional procedures don't improve this dysfunction systemically.
We (and the physicians who pioneered this field) always say, angioplasty
is a mechanical solution to a biological problem. One of the positive aspects
of the COURAGE trial was that modern medical therapy (statins, beta-blockers,
etc.) seemed to have a definite systemic effect and low-risk stable patients
did very well without any intervention. There is much research going on
into how best to restore endothelial function. EECP has had several clinical
trials which have shown some benefit in certain patients -- and you and
your friend are definitely in that category. But overall, the trials have
not shown EECP to be "the cure" we're all waiting for. Which
is not to say it's not valuable and most definitely under-utilized. The
Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern has a whole program
to treat patients who have not responded to the mainstream therapies. Called OPTIMIST,
it offers a range of solutions, one of which is EECP.Angioplasty.Org Staff,Angioplasty.Org, May 4, 2007

 John S, patient, Brisbane, Australia: John, many
of your questions and concerns can be answered by reading my post to Jack
D. but let me personally address these: "You mention some going 3-5 years
without need for re-treatment. Are these people you know or have you just
been told this?" I was told this by technicians and cardiologists at the
two different provider sites I attended to receive my 4 x 35 hour courses
of treatment. One EECP patient Tom is now about 87 years old. I made his
acquaintance on a financial message board. He is a highly intelligent man
and is in very good health today, probably in BETTER HEALTH today than
he was 10-15 years ago when he was receiving repeat angioplasties and major
CABG procedures. He swims and works out almost daily at their local YMCA's
gym and pool. He will easily swim the length of their pool underwater regularly.
We email one another weekly, often exchanging information which helps us
better understand all of EECP's mechanisms of action which, by the way,
are still highly misunderstood by many/most cardiologists. I am proud to
regard Tom as a good friend although we have never personally met.

"Also I am concerned that in some instances EECP does
not work - why is this do you think?" A very fine cardiologist once explained
to me that he believed those 20-25% patients who have not responded to
35 hours of EECP treatment do so simply because they require many more
hours. The differences between individual patients are just too great to
expect them all to respond the same. Some patients require 45 hours, 60
hours or even 75 hours. Treated in this manner, you will see over 95% of
the patients regularly improve by one or more class. Patients who receive
EECP for Class III or IV angina caused by ischemic heart disease will almost
always have a pre-existing state of endothelial dysfunction and a loss
of vascular homeostasis. In this disease state (which cardiologists seem
to ignore), the vascular system has become inflamed and constricted. This
seems to be a precursor to full blown atherosclerosis which will then accelerate
the progression of ischemic cardiovascular disease. In this inflamed and
constricted state, vascular lesions will develop throughout the entire
vascular tree. As the body attempts to heal these vascular lesions they
may become covered with something very similar to a scab or a sore on,
for example, your arm or leg. In endothelial dysfunction, the vascular
wall, being very constricted, makes those lesions more susceptible to rupture.
Patients in this condition are often rushed to the hospital and DESed with
off label use of a $30,000.00 stent. Their symptoms may be quickly improved
but the underlying endothelial dysfunction which caused the inflammation,
the constriction, the lesions and the ruptured lesions will remain a threat
because, to my knowledge, invasive procedures will do nothing to treat
the underlying endothelial dysfunction and the loss of vascular homeostasis.
But now get this! EECP treatment will not only improve the the symptoms
of angina and ischemic heart disease but it has also been shown in multiple
studies to REVERSE ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION and to the degree that it does
this IT WILL ALSO RESTORE VASCULAR HOMEOSTASIS. This means that EECP may
decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines while increasing anti-inflammatory
cytokines which means less vascular inflammation, less constriction and
a more stable vascular system. Following this cascade of vascular events,
we can by logical extension, expect then, to see FEWER ruptured lesions.
With FEWER lesions rupturing, we should expect to see FEWER new blockages,
FEWER embolisms, FEWER strokes, FEWER MIs, FEWER hospitalizations and yes,
even a REDUCED mortality rate. All of this should proceed from EECP's effect
of REVERSING ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION. And again, this is something that
invasive procedures, by themselves cannot do. If you still have questions,
I would be happy to help you. Please email me at postman23_2000@yahoo.com. [Note:
posting has been edited for length]Gerald Oros, Collinsville IL, May 3, 2007

 Sorry I should have said 14 stents, ex-smoker,
quadruple bypass (she quit 1 year ago) but that does not make her an official "non-smoker" yet.
I believe you have to be clean for a while before you get that label.Jack D., New York, USA, May 1, 2007

 Jack D: Geeze Jack! Don't you think it's high
time you and your wife stood your ground and made some some of these decisions
yourselves? You're going to get nothing but more of the same from your
doctor. So what other treatment options does your wife have? Your doctor,
if he is responsible, should have already told you. There is the FDA approved,
Medicare reimbursed, NON-INVASIVE treatment option called Enhanced External
Counterpulsation also referred to as EECP or ECP.

You can learn everything you need to know about this
in the next 15 minutes by going to www.vasomedical.com and clicking on
the DVD for patients to immediately view what, how and why this therapy
is so safe and effective for relieving angina. At this late stage of treatment,
it was very, very wrong of your cardiologist to not inform your wife of
this option but instead -- continue to inflict more and more invasive procedures
upon her which obviously are not helping her but which is making him very,
very wealthy. But don't be too hard on your doctor because as I estimate
it more than 95% of the other invasive cardiologi$t$ are doing the $ame
thing. Now, don't misunderstand me, most of these invasive procedures produce
good results right away and the patients will receive good symptomatic
relief. But no one should be subjected to 14 stents, a CABG and then still
want to do another damned angiogram!!! Jack, believe me please! Sit down
with your wife and watch the DVD called "Straight From the Heart" ASAP!
If, after watching that film and you feel that your wife wants to try it.
Ask your cardiologist to arrange for the 7 or the 3 1/2 week course of
treatment. If he tries to discourage you from trying it, get another doctor!
You see the cost for a course of EECP treatment, more often than not, runs
less than the sales tax for a single bypass surgery. Prescribing EECP is
not as profitable as sawing open a patient's chest. I'm sure you both get
the picture!

If, after viewing the film, you still have questions,
I would be happy to help you. Please email me at postman23_2000@yahoo.com.
BTW, I am an angina patient with ischemic heart disease. I had my first
course of EECP 4 years ago and the results were so good I chose to have
it repeated for the next 3 years. I will take my 5th course of treatment
this Summer ---- so I think I know a little something about EECP and I
can give you some tips of how to get even better results from it if you're
interested.Gerald Oros, Collinsville, Illinois, USA, May 1, 2007

 Gerald O., Illinois. You mention having had EECP,
as an alternative to CABG. I am at the stage of considering my options
and this treatment a possibility. Can you tell us your condition (angina,
number of blockages and symptoms) which led to the treatment and how soon
after starting you saw some improvement? You mention some going 3-5 years
without need for re-treatment. Are these people you know or have you just
been told this? Also I am concerned that in some instances EECP does not
work - why is this do you think? Best Regards.John S., patient, Brisbane, Australia, May 1, 2007

 To Jack D. in NY: several months after just one
stent, I observed pain whenever inhaling a cigarette. Ok, the solution
was a no brainer, I quit smoking and the pain went away. Done. You write
that your wife had 14 stents, quadruple bypass, but she continues to smoke
and she is (even otherwise) resisting her doctor? Hello? Please show your
wife all the warnings on those cigarette packages, they are serious. Tom, Encinitas, California, USA, April 30, 2007

 My wife, 43 yrs old, diabetic, smoker had a quadruple
bypass 5 mos ago. This was after 14 stents to the RCA in an 18 mos period
and during that time span an MI from a clot. 3 mos after the CABG, her
angina pains slowly returned and at 5 mos they are in full swing. She gets
pressure with exertion and without. When her blood sugars are low she gets
intense chest pressure as well as a burning pain directly under her sternum.
The Dr says an angiogram is indicated. She is resisting. Anyone else had
these issues?Jack D., New York, USA, April 29, 2007

 I would suggest looking into the possibility of
having a blood sugar problem and not knowing about it. My wife, age 43,
after experiencing severe unstable angina, was given 4 DES in Nov. 05.
She continued having angina, although less severe, and was very dissatisfied
with the doctors telling her that her case was so exceptional that they
could not explain it, only stating that she may be having coronary artery
spasms. Since than she has had 5 heart caths done and 4 more stents inserted
inside of the ordinal stents because of restenosis and also had a blood
clot form that required a balloon to clear her stent that resulted in the
stent becoming fractured. Her family doctor decided to test her for insulin
resistance and we were quite surprised to learn that, yes, she does have
this syndrome. It is also known as Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X. It
has the tendencies for forming clots and causing plaque to build up in
the coronary arteries. We recommend the book "Syndrome X The silent killer".
We have just started her diet change so we cannot report any success yet
but are very hopeful that this is the cause of her continuing problems.
Good luck and we hope that this may give you another avenue to explore.Paul S., Michigan, USA, February 15, 2007

 Pam, Lafayette, Louisiana Pam, there is a very
safe, non-invasive procedure which is FDA approved for the treatment of
Class III and IV angina pain. Medicare will reimburse for it and it is
covered by most, but not all, insurance companies. It is presently reserved
in most cases for patients who fail to respond properly to the invasive
surgeries and angioplasties/stents. The name of this treatment is Enhanced
External Counterpulsation or EECP and/or ECP. If you will go to www.vasomedical.com
and watch their video tape, you will learn how and why it works. It does
require some commitment from the patient as they have to receive this treatment
5 hours a day for 7 weeks. The treatment is comfortable enough to tolerate
and has a success rate of about 80% with 35 hours treatment. I have received
this treatment for my shortness of breath and angina pain with good results
but because my arthritic knees inhibit my ability to exercise, my symptoms
begin to return after about a year. So, I have chosen to get the treatment
yearly and have done so for the past 4 years. Most patients, however, are
able to go 3-5 years or more with just one course of treatment. Despite
its success record, physicians are not too quick to recommend it because
at the present rate of reimbursement (shamefully low), doctors find that
is is not very profitable and therefore, quite understandably, prefer to
keep using invasive procedures. The cost of a course of EECP is often less
than the sales tax for a single bypass surgery.... Stent placements run
5-6 times the cost of a course of EECP.... If he wants the EECP treatment,
he's going to have ask for it and then not be dissuaded if the doctors
then try to change his mind. He must be adamant yet respectful. If he can
do this most doctors will be glad to prescribe the treatment for him.Gerald O., Illinois, USA, February 14, 2007

 My brother is 49 years old and has had triple
bypass about 8 months ago. He has seen very little improvement. Still very
short of breath and takes nitro several times a day. The doctors are just
beginning to figure out what's going on. Any similar cases out there?Pam, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA, February 5, 2007

 J Norman-- Looks like you have been though an
ordeal... I am a clinical educator in a cath lab and I hope I can help.
It really is not quantifiable, your prognosis, from your story. You need
to take into account your symptoms and how often, how severe, etc. Regardless
of the number of blocked arteries, it is the heart muscles response and
amount of damage that is the important factor. Do you know the state of
your heart muscle (this can normally be diagnosed by a heart scan or during
cath). If your heart muscle is reasonable, then you need to continue with
your life, taking one step at a time, always being aware of your symptoms
and never ever stressing yourself physically. However, you need to stay
positive and mentally active. Your physician was perhaps slightly inaccurate
to tell you this was worse than cancer and I feel you have been given inadequate
information. You need to know what all this means in real terms and how
it will affect your life? There are new advances in cardiology all the
time, pharmacological and medical interventions such as cath lab things
and you have the right to be know if these will apply to you. I hope I
have helped ...and not confused you. You should know that I have seen many
patients in your position and they have developed a good relationship with
their cardiologist and have learned to live within their means ....and
enjoy it!!Andrina, Prince Sultan Cardiac Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
February 10, 2002

 58 Female -- had triple bypass Oct 18, 2001.
All attending physicians stated my surgery was a success and I went home
in 2 days. On Jan 18, 2002 I experienced severe chest pain and went to
the emergency room. The ER doctor conferred with my cardiologist and decided
I should undergo a cardiac cath to see what was going on. On Jan 19 after
the procedure my cardiologist reported to my family and I that 1 graft
has completely blown, graft 2 had 90% blockage in which he placed a stent,
graft 3 had approx. 95% blockage and a balloon procedure was done. It was
explained to my family and I that my arteriosclerosis was so severe that
it caused this all to occur (in 3 months time) and that my prognosis was
very poor. He even stated that it was worse than that of cancer. My physician
has left us with no hope and no options to explore. I am taking it upon
myself to find other avenues of treatment. If anyone has experienced this
and has any advice or encouragement let me know.posted by J. Norman, Loudon, Tennessee, USA, January 20, 2002

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